Daily Archives: August 14, 2014

Galactic Civilizations III has officially entered beta. As it makes the transition to a new phase of development, Stardock has decided to launch the game on Steam as part of its Early Access program while also lowering the price by five bucks to $44.99. The version available now features sandbox mode and online multiplayer, a first for the series, while diplomacy, revamped ship combat, and trade are planned to go live “in the coming months.” A few of the improvements since the alpha include enhancements to the ship designer and the shipyard being moved off-world to allow for colonies to pool resources.

The mobile market just got a whole lot more justice today with the release of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies on the App Store. Dual Destines features the return of Phoenix as well as several older characters, including Pearl Fey and Apollo Justice, as well as the introduction of Associate Attorney Athena Cykes, who brings with her the ability to psychoanalyze witnesses. The first episode is free to try while the remaining four can be purchased for $4.99 each or as a bundle for $14.99. The bonus episode, Turnabout Reclaimed, which sees Phoenix defending a killer whale, is also available.

Creative Assembly has released two new character packs for Rome II. The first, August Warriors Update, is a free add-on that includes three female warrior units (the sword-and-shield infantry Hex-Bearers for the Suebi garrison, the mounted archer Amazonian Riders for Royal Scythia and as mercenaries for Sarmati and Ponto-Caspia , and the mounted archer Scythian Noblewomen for Royal Scythia), four units for the Suebi (the Horse Runners elite skirmishers, the Spear Wall spear-and-shield infantry, the Round Shield Swordsmen, and the Riders of the Hunt spear cavalry). The for-pay pack, Daughters of Mars, includes seven new units for Rome, Lusitani, Sparta, and Suebi, which can slo be recruited as mercenaries in certain provinces. Additional info on each of the seven is available below.